Finland holidaysTours & holidays in 2016 & 2017

Its most famous resident may be Santa Claus, but Finland holidays are definitely not just for Christmas. Europes seventh-largest country straddles the Arctic Circle, encompassing splintered archipelagos, 188,000 lakes, and far-flung Finnish Lapland, stretching towards the North Pole. This real-life Narnia shelters brown bears, wolves, elk, moose, and ferocious, fantastical-sounding wolverines; along with the indigenous, reindeer-herding Sαmi.

reviews for Finland holidays

You can trust Responsible Travel reviews because, unlike many other schemes, reviews can ONLY be written by people who we have verified have been on the holidays. In addition, we don't run these holidays ourselves - our only interest is giving you the best independent advice. Read our review policy

I am reborn! Simply the best holiday I have ever been on

Some great stories to tell the grandchildren. Would recommend to a friend

Memorable parts?
Everything. All activities of the trip were such memorable and exciting.
Tips?
Just enjoy all the activities even if you don't feel like it. You won't regret it.
Local benefits?
Absolutely.
Overall rating?
9/10. Less a point for 'missing out of one activity' but managed to schedule it back in. (more)Fred Wong

Bounding through the snow-covered woods, balancing on the runners of the sledge with the dogs running in front of me. (more)Tim Goodwin

This is not a holiday but a true adventure 300 kilometres of wilderness country. Its a time warp living away from all the rat race of modern society. (more)Alan Warwick

It almost goes without saying that the scenery is breathtaking from the outset but the real memories are the dogs and the bond you form with them. Cruising through the wilderness with your own team is a mixture of calm and excitement that is nicely balanced by caring for your dogs when their work is done. (more)Gareth Jones

Memorable parts?
The husky safari and the general scenery.
Tips?
The optional activities day - some of the activities incur a further charge (if you wanted to do snowmobile riding or further husky sledge rides. Some other activities are included in the price of the week (snow shoeing/ cross country skiing etc). This fact was not clear on the itinerary.
Also if travelling as a couple, split your clothes/toiletries between you as the small aircraft you take from Helsinki has limited... (more)John Vango

The bear watching and having a close encounter with a white-tailed eagle. (more)Robert Bagley

Almost whole tour of ours was exciting as every mile / kilometer of our drive in FINLAND was mesmerizing and exciting. All the activities of sports was new and knowledgable for us. (more)Nehal Lekhadia

we had great time and would definitely go back....seeing the wolverine, bears and willow grouse (more)Mohni Gujral

Memorable parts?
Far too many to mention personally - running the Helsinki Marathon (fantastic scenic route!) at the end of the trip was a personal highlight but aside from this I also enjoyed the beautiful scenery of northern Finland and great accommodation
throughout the trip. My 4 year old son enjoyed it all too but his favourites were the Angry Birds Kids Theme Park, Husky Sledding, meeting Santa Claus, feeding reindeers, running the Helsinki Mini Marathon for kids, riding the trams... (more)Richard Mayneord

Just fantastic all the way. Great forests, lakes, paths, nature; delicious food; relaxing sauna; great people; great company. (more)Evi Zouganeli

Really enjoyable holiday. All the people we met were friendly, hospitable and easy-going. (more)Helen Stocks

Staying in a log house without electricity or running water, surrounded by a snowy, silent landscape & enjoying a sauna after a day skiing across frozen lakes, over bogs and through forests. (more)Anna Jeffrey

Memorable parts?
The most memorable part of the holiday was how beautiful and peaceful Finland was where we were staying and how peaceful and quiet the sled dogs were once they were working.
Tips?
Tips for other travellers going on this holiday is to make sure you are reasonably fit before going, and you must be a dog lover.
Local benefits?
We were very back to nature and conserved energy within the cabins we stayed in. We used open fires to cook when we were out treking.
Tips?
The... (more)Tina Donovan

Memorable parts?
Hmm, all of it, we had such a great time I couldn't really pick any one thing over the rest
Tips?Local benefits?
Yes to all three.
Overall rating?
One of the best experiences ever, could not recommend this holiday enough (more)Paul Ashby

The whole holiday was amazing, the location, the walks, skiing & husky sledding, the accommodation, the food & the wonderful staff who did their utmost to ensure that it was an unforgettable experience for us (more)Pauline Hawes

Memorable parts?
It was all brilliant, but I would say the most memorable bit was the husky safari, it was so peaceful once the dogs got started. The rest of the trip was amazing too from the hotel Vuokkati, to cross country skiing, ice skating, visiting the spa at Katinkulta and Angry Birds park and going out on cross country ski trails and tobagonning from the hotel. Brilliant!
Tips?
Book through Responsible travel, every detail was planned
Local benefits?
We used the ski... (more)Lara Pletcher

The most exciting part of the trip was snowmobiling! What a fantastic day. The tour was informal, fun and adventurous. What more can you ask for. The setting couldn't have been better. (more)Sarah Chandler

Excellent....We loved all of it - the food, accommodation, tour guides and the northern lights were spectacular. The trip was very well organised and everything came together nicely. We travel a lot and this trip did not disappoint. (more)Penny Salmon

Memorable parts?
Seeing a total of 5 different wolverines up close in a few hours - amazing when there are only about 150 in the whole country.
Tips?
Take plenty of memory cards because you'll need them if you are as lucky as I was.
Local benefits?
Yes - the money went towards the cost of providing a feeding station throughout the year. This feeding station not only supported wolverines but also bears, ravens and other wildlife.
Overall rating?
Fantastic - the wildlife... (more)Christine Cheney

We all agreed that the husky safari was the best part of the trip. The kids enjoyed cuddling the dogs very much; they were the friendliest bunch of dogs ever seen. (more)Leontine Mastenbroek

The most memorable feature of the holiday - to the average city-dwelling Brit - was the landscape. Forests and frozen lakes, big skies and 18-hours of daylight - our girls were convinced they were in Narnia (the thaw suggesting Aslan would arrive soon). (more)Anon

The best part of the holiday was the husky safari, followed by the snow mobiling. The walk on the first day was good - but we would have liked to have done more/gone a bit further. (more)Liz Gregory

Memorable parts?
The vast feeling of space and peacefulness. Staying in cabins on the shore of the lake and some great cycling.
Tips?
It was the mosquito season and they were voracious, so bring plenty of repellent!
Local benefits?
It certainly benefited local people who ran small guest houses where we stayed.
Overall rating?
Very, very highly. It certainly was one of the best cycling holidays we have ever done. (more)Paul Scott

Excellent. I was really looking forward to this holiday, but my expectations were even exceeded. (more)Dani Rotzetter

The overall experience was memorable; the scenery, the activity, the guide, the other participants and the 'rough' living. (more)Richard Wisentaner

The entire holiday was memorable & magical. Our guide, Jarno, was superb in every way, including cooking up the best soups over the lunch time fires. He was expert at interpreting animal & bird tracks in the snow & helped us understand the environment & the way of life in that part of Finland, now & in the past. (more)Dilys Harlow

Memorable parts?
Cycling in Tallinn, testing fresh food in central market of Riga, kayaking and pick mushrooms in the Aukstaitija National Park. Dinning in Warsaw and the very lovely sunny tour leader.
Tips?
Travel light, ready to walk up to twenty minutes and claim stairs with all your luggage. Be well prepared with tourist information in all places, as the tour leader is not a tour guide, only gives out limited local information and may leave you behind if you walk too slow.
Local... (more)Xiaoling Wang

Really fantastic. Extremely memorable and has really whetted my appetite to explore more of this fascinating region - both at this time of year, and in summertime too. (more)Hannah Smith

In one word: FANTASTIC. We were able to engage in such delightful winter activities which we had never done before. Weather was perfect, everyone at the hotel just as pleasant and accommodating as could be, food VERY good and special meals were prepared for me as I am a vegetarian. I would like nothing better than to go back for another visit.
(more)Inge David

The most exciting part was being propulsed to a different world for the space of 3 days!...A great great experience. (more)Daniele Bourdais